Ning Yunhuan had been confined at home by Lan Lingyan for two days. Though she hadn't actually sustained any injuries, a few superficial scratches on her hands or face were all that remained from the escape through the trees. The kitchen maid had since concocted an endless array of nourishing broths in every imaginable variation - not only restoring her complexion but leaving her with a radiant glow. The pallor she'd carried after the kidnapping vanished completely within those two days.

Lan Lingyan insisted even minor physical injuries required time to heal, but more importantly, allowed one's mind to settle. During their frequent arguments, Ning Yunhuan would often yield under pressure. After being detained for seventy-two hours, it was finally release day - and her first stop was school.

Li Panpan hadn't arrived in the classroom yet, a natural reaction after nearly being gang-raped by Dong Fangaos and receiving multiple beatings during the abduction. The delicate girl had always lived in protective cocoon of privilege. Ning Yunhuan felt no sympathy for Li's plight despite being the one who'd dragged her into this mess through her pity for Gu Yingxi. If not for Gu, Li would've remained safely at home - though even then, Lan Lingyan's timely arrival would have prevented any physical harm.

Reflecting on Gu Yingxi now, Ning Yunhuan smirked with cruel amusement. She had left the woman stranded on Longmeng Island to suffer Dong Fangaos' torment from another life. The former couple's relationship had started as cruel games before spiraling into genuine affection in the previous timeline. Dong must have been so disillusioned by his past experiences with countless beauties that he mistakenly lusted after Gu, who was neither pretty nor refined.

This rebirth had changed things completely - Dong mistook Gu for Lan Jiu's woman entirely on false impressions. The final straw would come when Dong Long revealed himself, causing the enraged emperor to publicly humiliate Gu through his mistaken identity. Ning Yunhuan still remembered hearing Gu confess her feelings for Lan Lingyan as she was being taken away - and given Dong's nature, it was clear he'd now despise her beyond redemption.

Smirking at these thoughts, Ning Yunhuan left the classroom after finishing her elective course. She called ahead to her bodyguards before stepping outside where two hulking men waited in a black SUV. Since the kidnapping incident, Lan Jiu had doubled security measures. The guards previously assigned by her father were nowhere to be found - when she'd asked about them once, Lan Lingyan merely deflected the question with vague promises of future reunions.

As the car started moving, Ning Yunhuan scrolled through mobile games until fatigue made her switch focus outward. Her gaze caught a familiar silhouette being embraced by a tall man. The side profile revealed it was none other than Qin Yi - the same man who had been sent abroad for treatment after his previous injury to Lan Lingyan's people.

Li Panpan's attempts to defend this scoundrel were ironic given their current entanglement. Rumors suggested Qin's family had heavily guarded him, yet here he was openly with Fu Yuan. The couple disappeared into a restaurant, prompting Ning Yunhuan to snap several photos before their car pulled away. She'd made sure to capture the moment when Qin turned his head suspiciously toward her direction.

Qin Yi had returned from overseas just weeks prior after severe injuries nearly cost him his career in the military. His leg still flared up during rainy days, and his arms lacked their former strength - making it impossible for him to return to service. With old man Qin grooming his cousin as heir, this was a desperate situation indeed.

Though Qin knew Li Panpan had discovered his infidelity and received warnings from her grandfather, he'd been too consumed by lust to care when she was hospitalized recovering. Now with Fu Yuan's convenient appearance, it seemed the perfect opportunity for clandestine meetings - until his old injuries reminded him of his limitations through sharp pains in both leg and arm.

Ning Yunhuan knew exactly what she had captured on camera. Li Panpan might be naïve to her lover's deceit, but this time Ning would ensure those photos served as permanent evidence rather than being swept aside like the borrowed phone incident. The girl owed her enough favors already for unnecessary martyrdom.

Just as she considered delivering the photos, a disheveled Ning Yuncheng arrived at the school gates with an entourage. His recent panic over Gu Yingxi's disappearance - compounded by threats from Ou Yangzhentian - had reduced him to desperation. With multiple men now frantically searching for her whereabouts (even Ou Yang temporarily set aside grudges against Ning Yunhuan), their combined efforts eventually led them here.

Ning Yuncheng barely managed to reach the door before two bodyguards subdued him with effortless precision. He struggled wildly, his face mottled red as he bellowed "Let me go!" while being held by the collar. Ou Yangzhentian fared no better - a solid punch to his gut left him doubled over in pain, his once-foppish appearance now disheveled and furious.

"You'd better behave," Ou snarled through gritted teeth. He hadn't suffered such humiliation since he was a boy, yet Ning Yunhuan merely waved dismissively at her guards. "Take them back - I'm curious to see how he intends to interrogate me for information."

Ning Yuncheng's rage boiled over as the bodyguards dragged him away. He could no longer recognize his sister in this cold stranger who refused to beg or cajole him like before. The betrayal stung worse than any physical pain - especially when his own family now disowned him while Ning Yunhuan inherited everything.

"You think this is your territory?" he spat, eyes gleaming with murderous intent. "My father would never let a woman ruin the family name and squander our wealth! That's why you've been exiled from the estate!"

Ning Yunhuan merely laughed at his outburst. In another life she might have submitted to their bullying without resistance, but now they were the ones being humiliated by her hand. As for Ou Yangzhentian... he was a self-proclaimed "Picasso of our generation" who had ascended from obscurity through a tragic love story - yet his artistic reputation meant nothing against her current power.

The guards loaded both men into the car while Ning Yunhuan took an alternate taxi back home. Lan Lingyan had been summoned to the mountains for days, so their return found the estate empty except for the two prisoners being forced down from the vehicle.

"Look at this wasteland," Ning Yuncheng sneered as he recognized the private property they'd just arrived on. "Do you even know how much land like this costs in the capital? You're just squandering our ancestral assets to entertain some cheap mistress!"

Before he could finish, a housekeeper approached with a smile. "Welcome back, madam." The title left Ning Yuncheng reeling before his face twisted into disbelief.

"Wait... you've been cheating on me with someone older while still in college? My father would disown you for this!" His voice dripped with disdain as he continued, "Of course - that explains why you suddenly changed your ways. Pathetic!"

Ning Yunhuan sipped her juice calmly before giving orders to the guards: "Teach these two some manners. If they don't behave, keep striking until they're properly humbled."

While the men were beaten into submission, Ning casually mentioned Gu Yingxi's true nature - how she had openly propositioned Lan Lingyan in front of a crowd while begging for Dong Fangaos' attention. This revelation shattered Ou Yangzhentian's idealized image of his "princess" and left Ning Yuncheng staring at the ground as memories of her cryptic behavior surfaced.

"You're lying!" Ou shouted, but the evidence was undeniable. Ning Yuncheng had already begun wondering if Gu had merely used him - first for a kidney donation, then for financial support before moving on to younger men like his cousin.

Ning Yunhuan watched their reactions with satisfaction. These two would eventually destroy each other over Gu Yingxi's infidelities. After all, nothing pleased the universe more than watching those who believed themselves virtuous unravel through betrayal and greed.